2001

A Space Odyssey

By: Arthur C. Clarke

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins

Publisher's summary

It has been 40 years since the publication of this classic science-fiction novel that changed the way we look at the stars and ourselves. From the savannas of Africa at the dawn of mankind to the rings of Saturn as man adventures to the outer rim of our solar system, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a journey unlike any other.

This allegory about humanity's exploration of the universe, and the universe's reaction to humanity, was the basis for director Stanley Kubrick's immortal film, and lives on as a hallmark achievement in storytelling.

©1968 Polaris Productions, Inc.; 1968 Arthur C. Clarke (P)2000 Brilliance Audio

Fantastic! Totally Enraptured and Entranced

I really enjoyed the movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, when I watched it so naturally I had to enjoy the book as well. Learning that the two were written in tandem was very interesting and helped to keep either from being diminished in their own right. Dick Hill’s performance really brought to life the story of Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001. In addition, personally, it was refreshing to imagine familiar characters in slightly different situations. In all honesty, I’m glad that I watched the movie first because the book is indeed a little more in depth and leaves less to the imagination. Much of what I learned I had already speculated from watching the movie but this is a rare case in which the reader/listener can be gratified from the added detail of the book, as opposed to the movie (which remains beautiful and a masterpiece in its own rights, abstractness being one of them). Overall this has been one of my most enjoyable listens with Audible and really would love to listen to more like this.

Great audiobook

2001 was Arthur C Clarke's masterpiece and was written after Stanley Kubrick made the movie. It was a longer version of Arthur C Clarkes' short story The Sentinel but this story just left everyone guessing as to what was going to happen next. We find out when Kubrick finished it as 2001: A Space Odyssey. Arthur C Clarke even wrote the screenplay for the movie. Fantastic. Is there any life out there in space? Listen to this audiobook and find out for yourself. Did some species of life out in space help to create the human race? After listening to this audiobook, it makes you wonder.

Amazing even after all these years

What made the experience of listening to 2001 the most enjoyable?

The story written in 1968 is still futuristic today!

What did you like best about this story?

The reader was excellent!

What does Dick Hill bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He brought it to life.

The story makes sense now!

The narrator had lots of variation & talent. The story totally trumped the movie version. The ending actually makes sense to me now!

WOW! Finally I understand!

I saw the movie on a class field trip when I was just a kid. I left the theatre confused. I always meant to read the book to gather a better understanding, but day's turned into weeks which turned into years and I never did. I watched the movie some 40 years later as an adult, and was still just as confused. Then one day I opened my audible "daily deal" and thought for a couple of dollars and a couple of hours, I would give 2001 one more chance. Oh my! What a difference it made! Clarity and understanding was the reward and it has made all the difference in the world. I can't tell you how happy I am to finally put this puzzle together. What an absolutely incredible story 2001 is! Invest the time and enjoy the reward of understanding such a great book. Thanks Audible!

The story that started it all

The master of Science Fiction brings you the original story of space exploration and the origins of man. A must have.

Explains a lot that the movie leaves out

the Arthur C. Clarke intro was great but with some spoilers. Also enjoyed the narrator and sounds. He did an excellent HAL.
Thought the characters could have been a bit more relatable/real, rather stiff 2-D, and the ending a bit more developed. Amazing that thus was written in 1968!!

so glad I read this!

wonderful book with wonderful narration. Bravo on all counts! stunning work by the author and the narrator both

simply classic

incredible story by a master writer.

It's a shame we haven't pursued space travel more vigorously.

much better than the movie

the movie makes sense now. from the movie, I always thought the purpose was to scare the bejesus out of you because of HAL. not so. and I never realized about the baby either.